‘Highway to Heaven’ Fox Reboot Is Official! Plus the Near-Tragic Reason Michael Landon Created the Original Show

If you grew up watching Highway to Heaven, you may soon have a reason to revisit one of television’s most uplifting classics: Fox has just given the green light for a new version of the show. That 1984 to 1989 series was created and produced by the late Michael Landon, who starred as well.

What is ‘Highway to Heaven’ about?

Highway to Heaven became known for its emotional storytelling, gentle humor and powerful messages about kindness, forgiveness and, perhaps most importantly, second chances. The challenge facing the new team, obviously, is to capture its essence while updating it for modern audiences.

The reboot will be written and overseen by Jason Katims, whose past work includes heartfelt, character-driven series like Friday Night Lights and Parenthood. His involvement suggests the new Highway to Heaven will stay true to the emotional core that made the original so special. And at its heart, the story will once again center on a “probationary angel” sent to Earth to help people in need in order to earn his wings. While the premise remains familiar, the new version is expected to offer a contemporary perspective, exploring human struggles and relationships in ways that resonate now.

As Katims tells Deadline, “I’m excited by the challenge of putting a contemporary lens on this classic tale. The idea of telling a very grounded, human story about an angel feels immediately emotional to me—and fun. I love going outside my comfort zone to tell a tale about someone trying to do better as an angel than he did as a man.”

Why the reboot comes at the perfect time

As the real world grows more and more complicated, there’s obviously a growing appetite for something uplifting and feel-good; a show that offers hope and connection. Highway to Heaven seems like a good solution, made even more so when you consider the original’s origins.

In a 1985 interview with People, Landon (who had previously starred in Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie) recalled a terrifying moment when his daughter Cheryl was involved in a devastating car accident. She had been riding home from a college event with friends when their small Volkswagen was struck by another vehicle traveling at high speed. The crash tragically claimed the lives of the others in the car, while Cheryl survived but suffered extensive injuries. She remained in a coma for three days before beginning what would be a long recovery, and it was this that caused her father to make an actual bargain with God. If Cheryl recovered, he vowed to create something that would genuinely help people.

He elaborated on the inspiration a little more to the LA Times on the specific element that drove the show, reflecting, “I was driving through Beverly Hills to pick up my kids on a Friday night and people were honking at each other. There is no worse place for that than Beverly Hills; I think when people have a little bit more money, they really believe that the Red Sea will part and their car will go forward. And I thought, ‘Why is everybody so angry? If they would just spend that same time being nice . . . It’s obvious the flow of traffic is going to go much better if everybody has his opportunity.’” Cheryl did recover and her father kept his word; those circumstances resulted in the creation of Highway to Heaven.

Honoring Michael Landon’s legacy

This latest reboot, not to be confused with the 2021 Lifetime version, is being produced with the involvement of Michael Landon’s family, including his widow, Cindy Landon, 69, who will serve as an executive producer. That connection is likely to reassure longtime fans that the heart of the original series won’t be lost. And for her part, she said, “Highway to Heaven has always been about connection, compassion and the idea that small acts can have big ripple effects and make a lasting difference. I’m proud to help carry Michael’s legacy forward with partners like Fox and Amblin, who understand the heart of this series and are bringing it to a new generation at just the right moment.”

Release date, cast and plot: What’s confirmed

So far, Fox has officially ordered the Highway to Heaven reboot for the 2027–2028 TV season. As for casting, no actors have been announced yet—meaning the biggest question remains who will step into the iconic angel role originally played by Michael Landon.

While casting details and storylines are still being developed, the goal seems clear: to reintroduce Highway to Heaven to a new generation while giving longtime viewers a reason to return. And if the reboot captures even a fraction of the original’s charm, it could once again remind audiences of something simple but powerful—and uplifting. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 1:12 PM.